Kamil Perry
Babybel cheese is famous for its red wax coating, which is used to protect the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth and drying while it ages. The wax is made from paraffin, which is soft and pliable, and also contains microcrystalline wax and colouring. The red wax is not unique to Babybel, with other hard and semi-hard cheeses such as Gouda and Cheddar also using red wax.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of wax | Paraffin wax |
| Other ingredients | Microcrystalline wax, colouring |
| Colour | Red or green |
| Purpose | Protects cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth, drying, and ultraviolet light |
| Texture | Soft and pliable |
| Safety | Food-safe, poses no health risk if accidentally ingested |
| Other uses | Can be used to wax homemade cheese |
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What You'll Learn
- Babybel cheese is coated in a red wax (or green for its vegan cheese)
- The wax is made from paraffin, microcrystalline wax and colouring
- The wax is food-safe and poses no health risk if accidentally ingested
- It protects the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth and drying
- The wax is soft and pliable, unlike pure paraffin wax which becomes brittle
Babybel cheese is coated in a red wax (or green for its vegan cheese)
Babybel cheese is not the only product to be coated in wax. Other hard and semi-hard cheeses, such as Gouda and Cheddar, are often coated in red wax, while Parmesan and Brie can be found wrapped in black, orange and yellow waxes. Wax is also used to coat fruit snacks, Skittles, M&Ms, fruits and vegetables to keep them looking and tasting fresh.
Babybel cheese uses two layers of wax on its cheeses. The inner surface is probably PVA (essentially wood glue), which is painted onto the cheese first, followed by the wax.
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The wax is made from paraffin, microcrystalline wax and colouring
Babybel cheese is known for its red wax coating, which is made from paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax and colouring. The wax is used to protect the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth and drying while it ages. It is also soft and pliable, unlike pure paraffin wax which becomes brittle and cracks easily.
The wax is "food safe", meeting strict regulatory standards and posing no health risk if accidentally ingested. It also helps the cheese last for over a week when stored in the refrigerator.
Babybel's wax coating is not unique, with a variety of other hard and semi-hard cheeses making use of brightly coloured wax. These include Gouda, a semi-hard Dutch cheese with a mild, nutty flavour and smooth, creamy texture, and cheddar, which often comes in red wax. Parmesan and brie can also be found wrapped in black, orange and yellow waxes.
The wax on Babybel cheese is actually two layers, with the inner surface likely being PVA (essentially wood glue).
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The wax is food-safe and poses no health risk if accidentally ingested
Babybel cheese is known for its red wax coating, which is made of paraffin wax. This wax is used to protect the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth and drying while it ages. The wax is also soft and pliable, unlike pure paraffin wax which becomes brittle and cracks easily.
In addition to paraffin, the packaging also contains microcrystalline wax and colouring, which specifically contains no Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound often used in plastic food packaging. The wax is "food safe", meeting very strict regulatory standards, and poses no health risk if accidentally ingested, according to the company. It also helps the cheese last for well over a week when stored in the refrigerator.
The red wax coating is not unique to Babybel cheese, with a variety of other hard and semi-hard cheeses making use of the bright-coloured wax. Gouda, a semi-hard Dutch cheese, is one of the most recognisable red-waxed cheeses, and cheddar often comes in red wax, too. Parmesan and brie can be found wrapped in black, orange and yellow waxes, but all cheese waxes are opaque in order to protect the cheese from ultraviolet light.
While wax wrapping might be the most obvious on cheeses, other food products also make use of wax. It can be found on fruit snacks, Skittles, M&Ms, fruits and vegetables to keep them looking and tasting fresh.
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It protects the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth and drying
Babybel cheese is famous for its red wax coating, which is actually made of natural paraffin wax. This wax is used to protect the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth and drying while it ages. It is soft and pliable, unlike pure paraffin wax which becomes brittle and cracks easily. The wax also contains microcrystalline wax and colouring, which specifically contains no Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound often used in plastic food packaging. This means that the wax is 'food safe' and poses no health risk if accidentally ingested. It also helps the cheese last for well over a week when stored in the refrigerator.
Babybel is not the only cheese to be coated in wax. Other well-known red-waxed cheeses include Gouda and Cheddar. Parmesan and brie can also be found wrapped in black, orange and yellow waxes. All cheese waxes are opaque in order to protect the cheese from ultraviolet light.
The wax coating on Babybel cheese is not just practical, but also iconic. The bright red wax (or green wax for its vegan cheese) offers an unparalleled unwrapping experience.
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The wax is soft and pliable, unlike pure paraffin wax which becomes brittle
Babybel cheese is known for its red wax coating, which is made from paraffin wax. This is a natural wax that is soft and pliable, unlike pure paraffin wax which becomes brittle and cracks easily. The wax is used to protect the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth and drying while it ages. It also helps the cheese last for well over a week when stored in the refrigerator.
The wax is food-safe and meets strict regulatory standards, posing no health risk if accidentally ingested. In addition to paraffin, the packaging also contains microcrystalline wax and colouring, which specifically contains no Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound often used in plastic food packaging.
Babybel cheese is not the only product to be coated in wax. Other hard and semi-hard cheeses, such as Gouda, cheddar, Parmesan and brie, are also often wrapped in wax. Wax is also used to coat fruit snacks, Skittles, M&Ms, fruits and vegetables to keep them looking and tasting fresh.
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Frequently asked questions
Babybel cheese is coated in a red wax (or green wax for its vegan cheese). This wax is made from paraffin, which is soft and pliable, unlike pure paraffin wax which becomes brittle and cracks easily.
The wax coating on Babybel cheese helps to protect the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth and drying while it ages. It also helps the cheese last for well over a week when stored in the refrigerator.
Yes, Babybel cheese wax is "food safe" and poses no health risk if accidentally ingested. The wax also contains no Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound often used in plastic food packaging.
